U.S. patent application number 16/010981 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-18 for multiple position boat seat.
The applicant listed for this patent is S2 Yachts, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel Edward Cross, Linwood Addison Fuller, Kenneth Gene Strickland.
Application Number | 20180297670 16/010981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59497391 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180297670 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fuller; Linwood Addison ; et
al. |
October 18, 2018 |
Multiple Position Boat Seat
Abstract
A multiple position convertible seat assembly for a boat
includes three seat frames pivotally coupled to the boat and to
each other to move from a first position as a seat, a second
position as a lounge seat with leg support, and a third position
forming another seat. In the third position, the seat includes a
foldout cushion exposing a work surface.
Inventors: |
Fuller; Linwood Addison;
(Vero Beach, FL) ; Cross; Daniel Edward; (Stuart,
FL) ; Strickland; Kenneth Gene; (Vero Beach,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
S2 Yachts, Inc. |
Holland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59497391 |
Appl. No.: |
16/010981 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15415927 |
Jan 26, 2017 |
10065711 |
|
|
16010981 |
|
|
|
|
62291826 |
Feb 5, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/045 20130101;
B60N 2/3031 20130101; A47C 17/1655 20130101; B60N 2/3065 20130101;
B60N 2/32 20130101; B60N 2/0292 20130101; B60N 2/995 20180201; B60N
2/309 20130101; B60N 2/22 20130101; B63B 2029/043 20130101; B63B
29/04 20130101; B60N 2/3015 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 29/04 20060101
B63B029/04; B60N 2/30 20060101 B60N002/30; B60N 2/02 20060101
B60N002/02; B60N 2/04 20060101 B60N002/04; B60N 2/32 20060101
B60N002/32; B60N 2/90 20180101 B60N002/90; B60N 2/22 20060101
B60N002/22 |
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. A convertible seat assembly for a boat, comprising: a first
seat frame having a pivot axle at a first end for pivotally
coupling the first seat frame to the boat, the first seat frame
including at least one leg spaced from the pivot axle and extending
away from the first seat frame; a second seat frame at least
partially underlying the first seat frame and having a link arm
pivotally coupling a first end of the second seat frame to the
first seat frame at a location spaced from the pivot axle of the
first seat frame; and a third seat frame pivotally mounted to a
second end of the second seat frame, whereby the first seat frame
can be rotated from an upright position to an inverted position
about the pivot axle and the link arm rotates to a position between
the first seat frame and the second seat frame with the at least
one leg of the first seat frame resting on a deck of the boat to
form a lounge seat.
19. The convertible seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least
one leg is disposed at an opposite end of the first seat frame from
the pivot axle.
20. The convertible seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the link arm
includes a first end pivotally mounted to the first end of the
second seat frame and a second end pivotally mounted to the first
seat frame between the pivot axle and the at least one leg.
21. The convertible seat assembly of claim 20, wherein the link arm
includes a notch formed between the first end of the link arm and
the second end of the link arm, the notch being configured to
receive the pivot axle when the first seat frame is in the inverted
position.
22. The convertible seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the first
seat frame includes a first cushion formed on a first side of the
first seat frame and a second cushion formed on a second side of
the first seat frame.
23. The convertible seat assembly of claim 22, wherein the first
cushion is exposed when the first seat frame is in the upright
position and the second cushion is exposed when the first seat
frame is in the inverted position.
24. The convertible seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the third
seat frame includes a first end and a second end formed at an
opposite end from the first end, the first end of the third seat
frame being pivotally mounted to the second end of the second seat
frame and the second end of the third seat frame being pivotally
mounted to the boat.
25. A convertible seat assembly for a boat, comprising: a first
seat frame including a first end pivotally mounted to the boat and
a second end at an opposite end of the first seat frame from the
first end, the second end having a leg extending therefrom; a
second seat frame having a third end adjacent to the first end of
the first seat frame and a fourth end at an opposite end of the
second seat frame from the third end; a link arm having a fifth end
pivotally mounted to the first seat frame intermediate the first
end and the second end, and a sixth end pivotally mounted to the
third end of the second seat frame; and a third seat frame having a
seventh end pivotally mounted to the fourth end of the second seat
frame and an eighth end pivotally mounted to the boat.
26. The convertible seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the
convertible seat assembly is operable between a first position
defining a first seating surface and a first backrest, a second
position defining a leg support, a second seating surface, and a
second backrest, and a third position defining a third seating
surface, a third backrest, and a work surface.
27. The convertible seat assembly of claim 26, wherein in the first
position the first seat frame defines the first seating surface,
the third seat frame defines the first backrest, in the second
position the first seat frame defines the leg support, the second
seat frame defines the second seating surface, and the third seat
frame defines the second backrest, and in the third position the
first seat frame defines the third seating surface, the second seat
frame defines the third backrest, and the third seat frame defines
the work surface.
28. The convertible seat assembly of claim 26, wherein the leg
extends at an oblique angle from the first seat frame, the leg
extending away from a deck of the boat and being parallel to the
third seat frame when the convertible seat assembly is in the first
position, and contacting the deck when the convertible seat
assembly is in the second position and the third position.
29. The convertible seat assembly of claim 26, wherein the first
end of the first seat frame is pivotally mounted to the boat by a
pivot axle, and the link arm includes a notch configured to be
supported by the pivot axle when the convertible seat assembly is
in each of the second position and the third position.
30. The convertible seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the first
end of the first seat frame and the eighth end of the third seat
frame are both coupled to a housing of the boat.
31. The convertible seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the first
seat frame includes a first cushion disposed on a first side and a
second cushion disposed on a second side thereof, the second seat
frame includes a third cushion disposed on a first side thereof,
and the third seat frame includes a fourth seat cushion disposed on
a first side.
32. The convertible seat assembly of claim 31, wherein the fourth
seat cushion can be pivoted with respect to the third seat frame to
expose a work surface.
33. The convertible seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the seventh
end of the third seat frame is pivotally mounted to the fourth end
of the second seat frame by a first hinge and the eighth end of the
third seat frame is pivotally mounted to the boat by a second
hinge.
34. The convertible seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the first
seat frame includes a side frame member extending from the first
end to the second end and a handle extending between the side frame
member and the leg.
35. A convertible seat assembly for a boat, comprising: a first
seat frame having a first end and a second end; a second seat frame
having a first end and a second end; a third seat frame having a
first end and a second end; and a means for moving the seat
assembly between each of a first position, a second position, and a
third position, wherein in the first position the first seat frame
defines a first seating surface, the third seat frame defines a
first backrest, and the second seat frame at least partially
underlies the first seat frame, in the second position the first
seat frame defines a leg support, the second seat frame defines a
second seating surface, and the third seat frame defines a second
backrest, and in the third position the first seat frame defines a
third seating surface, the second seat frame defines a third
backrest, and the third seat frame defines a work surface.
36. The convertible seat assembly of claim 35, wherein the first
end of the first seat frame and the second end of the third seat
frame are pivotally mounted directly to a housing of the boat.
37. The convertible seat assembly of claim 36, wherein the first
end of the second seat frame is pivotally mounted to the first seat
frame by a link arm and the second end of the second seat frame is
pivotally mounted to the first end of the third seat frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/291,826 entitled MULTIPLE POSITION BOAT SEAT, filed on Feb. 5,
2016, by Linwood Addison Fuller IV, et al., the entire disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a seat for a pleasure boat
which can be pivotally converted from a conventional seat to a
lounge seat. It can also be moved to additional positions for
providing a second seat and a working area associated with an
entertainment center of a boat.
[0003] Seating designs for boats are particularly challenging for
designers inasmuch as typically at least for relatively small
boats, limited space is available for seating. Also, the seating
must be fixed to the vessel such that, during movement of the boat,
in some cases in turbulent sea conditions, the seating remains in a
stable position. In the past, this challenge has been met in
numerous ways, including, for example, a fold-out seat as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,137, which is employed to provide either a
bolster for the boat's cockpit area or a fold-down comfortable
seat. With the advent of increasing creature comforts on boats in
the 30 to 35 foot range, consumers are demanding and expecting new
features, such as gas grills, entertainment centers and the like.
Although some small boats have had seats which can fold out to form
a flat sun pad, this invention relates to a seat which has multiple
positions including a conventional seat, a lounge seat and an
extended position in which the seat back can be extended to provide
an additional seating surface and provide a work surface in
association with an entertainment center.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A multiple position convertible seat assembly for a boat
includes a first seat frame having a pivot coupling at one end for
pivotally coupling the frame to a support member of a boat. The
first frame includes upholstery positioned on a first side and on
an opposite side of the first frame. The first seat frame includes
side legs extending at an angle away from the frame. The seat
assembly further includes a second seat frame underlying the first
seat frame and having a link arm pivotally coupling the second seat
frame near one end to the first seat frame at a location spaced
from the pivot coupling of the first seat frame to the boat. The
second seat frame includes upholstery positioned on the side facing
the first seat frame. The assembly further includes a backrest
frame having one edge pivotally coupled to the second seat frame
along an edge opposite the link arm. The backrest frame includes an
opposite edge pivotally coupled to the boat and including
upholstery facing the first and second seat frames.
[0005] When in a first position, the first seat frame and backrest
form a normal seat. The first seat frame can be rotated to an
inverted position about the pivot coupling to a second position
where the legs of the first seat frame rest on the deck of the boat
and the first seat frame forms the leg support of a lounge
seat.
[0006] The pivot coupling of the second seat frame to the first
seat frame and to the backrest frame allows the second seat frame
and backrest frame to be pivoted upwardly to a third position in
which the second seat frame now defines a backrest, and the
backrest frame provides a generally horizontal work surface behind
the newly formed seat. The upholstery provided on the backrest
frame is pivotally secured to the backrest frame to be pivoted
orthogonally to connection of the backrest frame to the second seat
frame to expose a work surface underlying the upholstery.
[0007] With such a multi-position seat, therefore, the user has the
option of a normal seat, a lounge seat, or, in yet a third
position, again a normal seat with a secondary surface providing a
work surface behind the seat. Such a seating system can be
positioned as an aft-facing seat, such that the backrest frame can,
when in the third position, provide a working surface for an
entertainment area of the boat and still allow seating adjacent the
same area.
[0008] These and other features, objects and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent upon reading the following
description thereof together with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cockpit area
of a boat, showing the seat of the present invention in a first
seating position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the seat
components taken along section line II-II in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the boat showing
the seat moved to a lounge seat configuration;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the components
of the seat shown in the position of FIG. 3 taken along section
line IV-IV of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the boat showing
the seat being moved from the lounge position of FIGS. 3 and 4
toward a third position;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view, partly in phantom
form, illustrating the hinged movement of the seat components as
illustrated in FIG. 5 and taken along the same section line as FIG.
4;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the seat shown
in the third position taken along the same section line as in FIG.
6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the boat showing
the seat moved to the third position;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the seat shown in the third
position with the upholstered backrest moved to a position exposing
a work surface; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the seat with
the upholstered backrest pivoted to expose the work surface and
taken along the same section line as FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a fragmentary
perspective view of a boat 10, such as a 29-foot Dual Console
Pursuit.RTM. Model DC295, which includes a cockpit area 12 having a
deck 14, a bridge area 16 forward of the cockpit area 12, an
integrated hardtop 18, and front and side windshields 17 and 19,
respectively. Conventional bulkheads 11 and supports secure the
hardtop 18 and front and side windows 17 and 19. Mounted in the
area between the cockpit 12 and the bridge area 16 is the unique
seat assembly 20 of the present invention. The seat assembly is
pivotally mounted to a fixed integrated fiberglass housing 70,
which is either integrally molded with the deck 14 of the boat or
otherwise secured to the deck.
[0020] Before describing the details of the construction of the
frames and moving sections of the seat assembly 20, a brief
overview of the movement of the seat from a conventional seat, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, can be seen by the movement of the seat
assembly to a lounging position, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. With
further pivoting movement, as seen in FIGS. 5-8, it can be moved to
a third position in which the original seat backrest B becomes a
horizontal support surface and the lounge seating area D becomes a
backrest. Finally, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the upholstery
cushion B for the original backrest, as seen in FIG. 1, can be
pivoted laterally upwardly to expose a work surface 36 for use by
the operator of the boat when the seat assembly 20 is positioned
across from or in close proximity to an entertainment center of the
boat. This conveniently locates the work surface for use in
preparing and serving refreshments. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, a
significant storage area 13 is also at least temporarily available
when the seat is in its third position. Thus, seat assembly 20 can
be moved from a first position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 where
it serves as a rear-facing bench seat, an extended lounge seat as
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, again in a rear-facing seat in its
third position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and finally exposing a
useable work surface and storage area as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and
10.
[0021] The seat assembly 20 comprises three separate frame members,
including a first seat frame 22 which, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and
2, includes a rectangular base with sides 26 and front and rear
supports 28. The rear and outboard sides of the rectangular frame
22 are concealed by the upholstered seat A. The sides 26 each
integrally include a first upwardly inclined section 27 (FIG. 2)
spanning the backrest cushion B and an upwardly extending ends
defining and serving as support legs 24 when the seat is in the
lounge position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The seat frame 22 is
pivotally mounted to the housing 70 by pivot axles 23 extending
between frame members 26 and the housing on opposite sides of the
seat frame. Seat frame 22 defines a generally rectangular frame
supporting an upholstery section labeled A which, in a preferred
embodiment, is a seat cushion secured to the rectangular frame in a
conventional manner by marine fasteners. The frame 22 also includes
an angled handle 25 extending between each side 26 of the seat
frame 22 and the ends 24 to facilitate rotation of the seat frame
22 about pivot axles 23 to an inverted position (FIG. 3) exposing
the cushion C mounted to frame 22 on the side opposite cushion A.
The first seat frame rotates about 180.degree. (i.e., from
170.degree. to 190.degree.) to the inverted position depending upon
a given installation.
[0022] In addition to the seat frame 22, there is provided a
backrest frame 30 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which is pivotally mounted to the
upper edge 72 of housing 70 by a piano hinge 32 (FIGS. 2-4). The
backrest frame 30 is pivotally mounted at its lower end to a
secondary seat frame 40 by a second piano hinge 34, as best seen in
FIG. 2. Seat frame 40 underlies frame 22 when in the position shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the frames 22, 30, and 40 are made of
stainless steel and comprise generally rectangular frames,
including side, front and rear tubular members welded in a
conventional manner to withstand a marine environment, as are the
hinges and other metallic parts of the seat assembly 20.
[0023] The secondary seat frame 40 supports an upholstered member
such as a cushion D which, when the seat is in the lounge position
as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, becomes the seating surface.
Interconnecting links 50 are pivotally coupled at one end by pivot
axles 52 to the forward end of sides 42 of frame 40 on opposite
sides of the frame and are pivotally mounted by pivot axles 54 to
the sides 26 of frame 22 at a position spaced from the pivot
mountings 23 of the seat frame 22 to housing 70. This link allows
the seat frame 22 to be pivoted and provide clearance for the
secondary seat frame 40 and cushion D, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Thus, in the second position of the seat as illustrated in FIGS. 3
and 4, the reverse side of the seat frame 22 presents a cushion for
the legs of the user while the secondary seat frame 40 presents an
upholstered surface, such as a cushion D which now forms the
seating area or seat. The seat back cushion B mounted to the
rectangular backrest frame 30 remains the seat back for the seat
assembly when in the lounge position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In
this position, the upholstered seat back cushion B is inclined
rearwardly to present a comfortable seating position. The seat back
upholstered surface B is inclined at a slightly greater angle than
shown in FIG. 2 as the pivot connection 34 has moved slightly
forwardly due to the movement of link 50.
[0024] Pivot link 50 and the piano hinge pivot 34 between the
secondary seat frame 40 and backrest frame 30 allow the secondary
seat frame 40 and backrest frame 30 to be raised upwardly, as
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, to a third position as illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8, in which the secondary seat cushion D now becomes
the backrest and cushion C the seat. The backrest frame 30, which
is pivotally anchored to housing 70 by piano hinge 34 to the top 72
of housing 70, now assumes the generally horizontal position as
seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. When in this position, an open storage area
13 is provided above the housing 70 and under backrest frame 30 and
cushion B and one which can be employed by the user when the seat
is in a position shown in FIGS. 7-10.
[0025] The backrest cushion B is mounted by hinges 33 and 35 to the
outboard side leg 31 of the rectangular frame 30, as seen in FIG.
9, to allow it to hinge upwardly, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
The cushion B can be rotated to a generally vertical position
(i.e., from about 70.degree. to 110.degree., and preferably
90.degree.) to expose the work surface 36. Work surface 36 is
attached to the frame 30, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, such that the
backrest frame 30 provides an auxiliary table or work surface 36
for use by the boat operator. Another advantage of the seat design
in providing the area 13 under the backrest frame 30 and work
surface 36 to be available for temporary use when the seat is in
the position seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The hinges 33 and 35 are
friction hinges which hold the cushion panel B, which includes a
hard back surface 38, in a position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,
without the need for latches.
[0026] Hinges 32 and 34, together with the double pivoted link arm
50 and pivot connection 23 of the seat frame 22 to the housing 70
allows the multiple position movement of the seat sections with
relative ease into the variety of positions including the first
seating position (FIGS. 1-2), the lounge seating position (FIGS.
3-4), a second seating position (FIGS. 7-10), and the provision of
additional storage and a work surface near the galley area of a
vessel (FIGS. 9-10). The seat upholstery will typically be padded
cushions mounted to a hard surface made of polymeric material
typically used in marine cushions. In order to assist in moving the
seat from the lounge position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the third
position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, straps, such as straps 41 and 43
(FIG. 5) may be employed as handholds to raise and pivot the
auxiliary seat frame 40 to the position shown in FIG. 3.
[0027] It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the invention
as described herein can be made, including mounting the seat in
different areas of a boat and facing different directions as space
permits without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *